Goodbye Vata!

Welcome back to our blog!

We have been sharing our adventure on VATA, from the North Channel of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, to Pittwater, NSW, Australia, where we sold our beloved boat.  

This chapter of the blog is aimed at showing you VATA.  Below are 32 pictures is to show you what kind of wonderful boat she is! 

VATA at anchor in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada

VATA is a 1985 CS36 Tradtional sloop-rigged monohull sailboat. She was made in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, by CS Yachts Limited. The design was by Raymond Wall, a successful, highly respected British naval architect who worked for Camper-Nicholson before he was hired by CS.

VATA's hull is made of solid hand laid fiberglass. She has a fin keel and a partially skeg-hung rudder. The deck is fastened to the hull every 4" with through bolts so that she doesn't come apart at sea. The keel is attached to the hull with 13-1" stainless steel bolts. Her mast is keel stepped. 

Her powerplant is a Westerbeke 33 hp diesel engine which can speed her to safety, take her through strong currents or replenish her batteries. Vata has one starting battery, and six AGMs giving a house bank of 625 AMP hours. She also has 4 solar panels providing 460W of power, and a 400W wind turbine.  There is sufficient battery storage to run refrigeration, autopilot, instruments, lights, and the chart plotter 24 hours a day.

VATA's port side, at anchor in Lalepa Island, Vanuatu.

This is the cockpit, showing the folding teak cockpit table, teak floor grate, and the helm seat with a hump in the middle to sit higher for better visibility. In the back is the 4hp 4-stroke Yamaha outboard, and a Nagna propane BBQ.

The forward port side of the cockpit. Below the seat cushion is a cavernous sail locker, that provides access to the engine, autopilot, hot water tank, steering quadrant, and the icebox refrigeration system.

The forward starboard side of the cockpit. Below the seat cushion is a locker with a small shelf, and access to the engine, fuel tank sender and manual bilge pump.

The "helm" or steering station, with the Constellation compass, Raymarine E7D Chartplotter and multi-function display. The E7D uses its own internal GPS to show on an electronic chart where we are, and integrates the boat's other instuments including wind speed and direction, water depth, radar, and AIS. The steering wheel is covered with leather so it doesn't feel so cold, and for better grip.

After climbing down the companionway ladder (left), the boat has a galley (kitchen) on the port side, complete with ample storage, garbage storage, a 3-burner propane stove/oven, deep stainless steel sink, and a generous refrigerator and freezer. There is also a fan and a propane sensor that will shut off the propane if any LPG gas is detected, before it reaches an explosive mix ratio.

Here is a clos-up of the freezer section. It is cold enough to freeze unfrozen meat in a few hours, and normally sits around -10 degrees Celsius. The part of the freezer outside the white box will freeze items, but we use it for Cyrovac meat products, beer, wine and water jugs.

The refrigerator section is deep, and has two sliding baskets to access items lower down.  The thermometer on the upper basket normally sits around 3 degrees Celsius, getting the cold solely from the freezer section, which is separated by a 1/2 inch partition made of marine plywood painted with a matching paint of the icebox.

Another view of the galley, showing the cutting board on the oven, and the wonderful myriad of taps at the sink, which I will explain: starting from the left; seawater pumped with a foot pedal (black pedal near the floor), hand pump freshwater, ice box drain (by electric pump under sink), main pressurized hot and cold freshwater faucet, water tank overflow and air vent, and finally the filtered water faucet for drinking water.

The propane stove/oven can be gimballed so that it is level even when the boat heels.  Fiddles can be attached to the front of the stove to hold pots of boiling liquids onto the stove when at sea.

The "nav station". The instruments and radios are mounted here, and the table provides a flat surface for charting.  on the wall, you will find the electrical panel, bilge pump controls, a power plug, and our IridiumGo satellite receiver.  Most of the time the nav station is the  most convenient place  to throw everything, so it gets quite messy. at sea, while we take a location every hour on the hour, I only plot every six hours.

Items here from left to right, are outopilot control head, AM/FM/CD radio, VHF radio, double USB charging port, Depth indicator, wind speed and direction indicator.

Here is the ledge behind the nav station, that runs the length of the quarter berth (the single bed that begins at the seat for the nav station). We stored tall bottles of cleaning supplies aerosols and some lubricants, as well as the 12V spotlight. The bungie cord keeps them in place when in rough seas. 

As we move forward in the boat, there is a settee (couch) on the port side, just forward to the galley. Above it are two bookshelves and storage compartments on each side.  2 LED reading lamps are placed on each side of the bookshelves.  By the way, the companionway ladder covers the engine.

The port settee again, this time also showing the shelf, speaker, clock, barometer, fan and propane heater. Around the corner is a large hanging locker (closet) which is cedar lined to deter bugs.

The Port settee with the cushions removed, showing the storage area and wood panels covering the port 50 gallon water tank.  Another tank is on the starboard side.

Behind the port settee, we built shelves for additional space for dry goods and canned goods storage. At the left is the Rainfresh System 2 water filtration system to ensure a safe drinking water supply.

The starboard settee was converted into a double bed, and has a custom latex foam mattress with waterproof bottom and sides.

Moving forward, on the port side in the V-berth we hung a pocket panel on the door to hold odds and ends. In the v-berth is a hanging locker with eastern red cedar walls. a small counter, mirrored door to a cabinet, several drawers a fire extinguisher and reading lamp.

The v-berth cushions were removed to provide more space for storage.the walls are teak strips.. two cupboards at the front, and cubbys along the sides. The wood panels provide access to more storage areas, and the 35 gallon holding tank.

This is what the v-berth looks like when it is packed with water tight plastic boxes and restraining nets.

Up on the deck, the anchor locker is where the primary anchor chain is stored, along with a washdown hose, wi=hich uses sea water to was muck off the chain, and is useful in washing the deck. The anchor winch is electric, but can be used with the winch handle in the event of a power failure.

I climb the mast before passages to check the rigging. 29 mast steps make this an easy task. This time we were in Shelter Bay Marina in Panama, waiting to pass through the Panama Canal. The large white rubber fenders were provided to protect Vata's hull during the canal transit.

The engine is hidden behind the companionway ladder. it is a 33 hp Westerbeke diesel with a Hurth v-drive transmission.

The mast showing the wire rigging helping to hold it up, the radar, mast steps, whisker pole and flag halyards. Here we are flying the Fijian courtesy flag, showing that we have passed quarantine by Fijian officials.

One of our sails is this colourful "drifter" or gennaker. It is a light air sail that allows the boat to sail with very little wind.

Our other sails - a 120% Genoa and the triple reef main sail. These are our everyday sails, and we adjust the amount of each sail depending on the wind we have at any given time of day.

Vata anchored in beautiful Fatu Hiva in the Bay of Virgins, arguably the most beautiful anchorage in the world.

If you recall from an earlier blog, "VATA" in Tahitian Polynesian means "to be free". 

Sailing into the sunset with only a partially furled headsail on our trek across the Pacific Ocean.

VATA for sale in Pittwater, NSW.

Anyway, our sailing trip of a lifetime has come to an end. Our trip was filled with so many beautiful people and beautiful places, beyond anything that can be described in writing - something that can only be experienced first-hand with your own eyes.

VATA was sold in Pittwater Bay north of Sydney, Australia, half-way around the world. We completed our around the world trip in the air, Sydney to Milan via Dubai, and then on to New York and Toronto. The exact point was as we flew over Boctouche, New Brunswick on the Milan to New York flight.  

We had such a blast, we would do it all again; but now it is time to say farewell. 

Thank you for following our blog.



Karen and Tim Ruthenberg

______________________________________________________________

Here is an excerpt from the DBY Boat Sales Christmas Newsletter written by Michelle:

CROSSING THE PACIFIC - ever dreamt about it? I am not sure if your partner has ever said "Hey darling, let's get out of here, sail across an ocean, see beautiful places and meet new people".  I know mine has, and the feelings I have are so mixed.   On one hand it excites me and my adventurous spirit rises to the point where I just want to find that right vessel, make it our home and set sail.  On the other hand (damn that other hand) my sensible homely self kicks in and I start thinking of all the things that could prevent me from jumping onboard.  You know what those things are....    Thoughts of the wind in the sails, sunsets on the horizon and endless possibilities outweigh by far so the hunt for that vessel to call home is on and it is so exciting!   The journey begins by finding the right boat and then the bluewater is beckoning. Here at DBY Boat Sales we have many blue water sailors arriving into our office after crossing the Pacific.  Some prefer the company and reassurance of other sailors so have joined a Rally from San Francisco.  This gives them peace of mind and the knowledge that some of the hard planning work is done for them and they are in good company.  Others prefer the solitude oceans can offer and have sailed for years around and around the globe with only themselves for company  and their trusted vessel.    One of the things they have in common is they are always smiling.  Eager to share their stories and  look forward to the next part of their journey, whether it is homeward bound or sailing on.  We have had many clients shed a tear the day they say goodbye to the boat that has been their home for so long.  The boat becomes a part of you - a trusted, reliable, comfortable part of you. This means that DBY currently have some incredible blue water yachts that are fully equipped with an extensive inventory.  They vary in shape, length and price and after talking with us we can match you with the correct boat that will suit your requirements. We just love to tell a story though and right now we are hearing so many from our international visitors.  Of course my first question is always - were you scared?   Every time they say Noooooo!   Some had never done an overnight sail before they set off from their destination towards Australia.  They always say that with the right equipment and after getting into the rhythm of life on board, the path ahead is relaxing and enjoyable.  Of course there can always be a hiccup somewhere in all that fun but who doesn't like a bit of good old problem solving.  Recently we had a super lovely couple, Tim and Karen, who set sail from the North Channel Yacht Club, in northern lake Huron in Canada.  Their sailing experience had been on Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes, however Tim took to reading avidly about blue water sailing.  He gathered knowledge like a sponge, ready for any unforeseen challenges they may encounter.

PHOTO - CS36 Traditional VATA anchored in Bay of Virgins, French Polynesia

All was going so well on their journey and once through the Panama Canal they set sail for the Marquesas which is a 30 day crossing.   Tim would sleep in the cockpit while Karen did her 3 hour watch during the night so if she was in any doubt she could nudge him awake to ask him anything she found curious.  After a brief stop in the Galapagos Islands, they set sail again, with the Marquesas 21 days away.  With 7 days to go, at  2am (of course on Karen's watch) the rudder fell out of their boat leaving them with no steerage and heading for South America.  Now clever Tim had joined a cruiser's net which is a bunch of boats all sailing in the same direction  in the same ocean at the same time, and they would report positions, weather and sea conditions along with any relevant discussions.  Of course these boats maybe up to 400 nm apart. After they lost the rudder, he let out a holler (possibly more than a polite holler) to the net asking for advice. Now all that extensive research before they left became advantageous.  He rigged up a drogue and made a makeshift rudder so now they were heading once again towards their destination but instead of 7 days to go the plotter now said 28 days as their progress was now so much slower.     Human nature at its best was the saviour at the end of the day though.  Fellow sailors on sv Element came to their rescue towing them for the remaining 700nm in 7 days, bringing them to anchor in Hiva Oa where they would be able to haul out and replace the rudder. Forever grateful and feeling so humble at such generosity  this beautiful couple became even more in love with their new life on the sea.  Now selling their beloved CS36 Traditional VATA only to go home to hug their adult children and grandchildren in Italy and Canada for a while before heading to California to do it all again.    I feel so inspired by them that my sensible self concerns are diminishing into the distance. Thanks very much Tim and Karen for sharing your story. ____________________________________________________

Australia: G’day, mate! How you goin?

The passage from Nouméa, New Caledonia was 840 nautical miles, and took 7 full days. We experienced 2 days with winds of 25 knots, 2 days of calms, and one day of a full gale (35 knots) as a low developed right beside us on the 5^th day. The rest of the days were great sailing.  As the seventh day dawned, the Australian coast appeared on the horizon! A new country, and a new continent!

Arriving in Australia, with South Solitary Island Lighthouse in sight, and on course for Coffs Harbour!

Our course from Nouméa, New Caledonia (Green Dot) to Coffs Harbour, Australia (Red Dot).

We entered Australia at Coffs Harbour, formerly a small fishing village, but now a small city full of amenities we will need after having emptied our cupboards to adhere to Australia’s strict quarantine rules. Clearing in was completed by two armed Border Protection Officers (who are on a full cost recovery plan and charge $30 AUD for each 15 minutes spent with you), and was quick, efficient and straight forward. Karen was complimented by them for the organisation of the vessel, items needed to present, and the cleanliness of the vessel.  Indeed an honour, after hearing stories of the difficulties boaters were having entering the country.

The marina at Coffs Harbour, a "port of entry" for Australia, and the pedestrian walk-way (left) to Muttonbird Island Bird Sanctuary (foreground), and the Great Dividing Range mountains in the distance.

Coffs still has an active fishing fleet.

As first-time visitors, we knew little about the country, other than what we saw on movies like the Thornbirds, Man from Snowy River, and Crocodile Dundee, or on National Geographic.  We caught a bus into the city’s core where we found a modern, clean but very busy urban scene, with all kinds of shops and a large Woolworths grocery store, where among other things, we found wine on sale (3, 5 litre boxes for $39.00: hooray!) and beer, $4.00 per can: ouch! Welcome to Australia!

Australia has Aboriginal people who lived here when the first Europeans arrived. In this area, the Gumbaynggirr people were the original custodians of the land.  Early European settlement brought disease, displaced many Gumbaynggirr people and devastated an ancient culture. Sadly, a familiar story. Through fierce resilience and determination, however, the Australian Aborigines have the oldest Indigenous culture on Earth.  There are numerous opportunities to learn of this culture through tours, cultural centres, Bush Tucker Cafés, art galleries and other programs.

Aboriginal art representing the Solitary Islands, offshore from Coffs Harbour.

Early during our stay at Coffs Harbour, we called a local whom we met in Nouméa, who said he would show us a few of the sights. Scott Jackson came good, and drove us around one morning to see scenic lookouts, kangaroos, wallabies the Giant Banana, and talked about the history of the area. It was a lot of fun!

The Forest Sky Pier overlooking the coastal lands around Coffs Harbour.

Scott and Karen at the Forest Sky Pier.

The view back to Coffs Harbour from the lookout at Forest Sky Pier.

Kangaroos grazing in a subdivision in the outskirts, formerly their domain alone. Now they are seen as a pest by some residents, especially if they become aggressive.

One of Australia's thousands of beautiful beaches, here south of Woolgoolga, New South Wales.

Tim and Karen posing with Kangaroos at Woolgoolga Headland.

Camel rides on the beach south of Coffs Harbour

Continuing sailing south, we stopped in Port Stephens, a large inlet approximately halfway to Sydney. It has become a huge recreational area for New South Wales, and large tracts are protected land, while other areas are already heavily developed.

An enormous portion of fish n' chips in Nelson Bay.  We should have shared an order, but it was delicious!

Some of the development near Nelson Bay.

A beautiful sunset in the wilderness at Fame Cove, Port Stephens.

A free "courtesy mooring, placed in beautiful spots by the New South Wales government. They must be vacated after 24 hours.

Sydney is a city of approximately 5 million on one of the finest natural harbours in the world, and is in the territory of the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, who were the traditional custodians of this part of Australia. We arrived 5 hours ahead of schedule due to a strong East Australian Current together with 30 knot tail winds, at 1:30 in the morning!  Fortunately, Sydney harbour is very well lit, and we dropped the hook in the prettiest anchorage in the entire harbour in Farm Cove, right beside the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge!  Did you know that the Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from our anchorage in Farm Cove!

Sydney's Central Business District seen from our anchorage in Farm Cove.

In the morning, we launched the dinghy, and set off to explore.  There was a floating dock beside the Opera House that we tied to. In front of the Opera House, workers were busy setting up a stage for the 2018 Invictus Games ceremonies. (A few days later we would be advised that we must leave Farm Cove, because it would be used for sailing races for the games, and we would lose access to the dock due to tightened security while Price Harry and Meghan Markle who would arrive by boat at this same dock.)

The roof of the Opera house is made up of thousands of ceramic tiles, keeping it very clean.

Karen and Tim at the Sydney Opera House.

Designing the Opera House was a problem, until the architect came up with this solution, allowing mathematical solutions for the precise engineering of the structure.

Australians love their pastries!

Aboriginal crafts, art and instruments are avaliable at specialty shops.

The Sydney Opera House seen from the east side of Farm Cove in the Botanical Gardens, with Vata anchored nearby.

Sydney has a nice mix of old an new architecture.

One day we visited the Opal Museum, where they explain how Opals are formed and mined.

The food court between the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, the day Prince Harry climbed the bridge.

Fireworks were spectacular, but not what they do here on New Year's Eve!

The new Bellevue Cottage by Antoine, on Leichardt Street had an open house to increase awareness of their re-opening under new management.

Bellevue Cottage by Antoine interior

Wonderful hors-d'ouvres at Bellevue Cottage by Antoine!

Beautiful houses in the Glebe district of Sydney

Karen waiting at the bus stop on Glebe Point Road, Sydney.

More delicious pastries...

The Sydney Fish Market on Blackwattle Bay, where everyone finds inexpensive fresh and cooked seafood.

More pretty homes in the Glebe district in Sydney

Sydney was a fascinating city, and one could spend many years here and never get bored. There is just too much to see in this beautiful city, full of a wide range of architecture and parks!  To get around, we obtained OPAL transportation cards, like a debit card, where you add $ at kiosks or convenience stores, and tap on a bus, train or tram, and later tap off, and an appropriate fare is debited based on distance traveled – very easy to use. We used public transportation for groceries, and visiting areas like Chinatown, and took a two-hour train ride to the “Three Sisters” in the Blue Mountains, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sydney Central Railway Station

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains

We were anchored beside the Botanical Gardens, and took a tour. Among other very interesting things, they have two specimens of one of the rarest trees on Earth: Wollemi pine, it was presumed extinct and was seen in fossil records, hence nicknamed the dinosaur tree, when a whole grove was found in a canyon by a bush walker in Woolemi National Park just outside Sydney! It is still a protected species, and is classified as critically endangered.

The critically endangered Woolemi Pine

According to Aboriginal legends, this was the "wishing tree"

This tree from Queensland stress extra water in its swollen trunk to survive extended droughts.

One day we were at the iconic Bondi Beach, and visited the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition – 22 years running, it is the world’s largest free open-air sculpture display, one mile along the waterfront to Bronte.  Of course, there’s a sampling of what we saw below:

Tim and Karen on Bondi Beach, on a cool and windy spring day.

Gulls on Bondi Beach

Bondi wouldn't be Bondi without surfers

Bondi Beach from the south end.

The Bondi Beach Baths, refreshed with every ocean wave with fresh saltwater.

The Sculptures by the Sea between Bondi and Bronte.

Sculptures of all sorts were placed along the walk

And there were more sculptures...

And More...

This sculpture made of nylon cloth moved with every breeze

These figures virtually disappeared at certain angles

Nature carves this sandstone into an interesting shape

We sailed north to Broken Bay/Pittwater, touted as one of the World’s best cruising grounds. We saw giant Humpback whales breaching as they worked their way south for the summer!  As we entered the Hawkesbury River, we passed Lion Island, a nature reserve, and home to the Australia’s most northerly penguin rookery. We picked up a free mooring in Refuge Bay, reportedly one of the best anchorages on Australia’s entire east coast. There, we were surrounded by forested hills, cliffs and within sight of one of the two waterfalls in the bay, listening to the hilarious sounds of Kookaburras echoing from the hills! There were another 25 boats moored here, but we occupied only a small fraction of the moorings here.  It must get very crowded in the summer months.

The waterfall at Refuge Bay

Beautiful sandstone boulders showing thousands of years of erosion below the Refuge Bay waterfall.

The next day we visited the Refuge Bay waterfall, which dropped about 30 metres off a sandstone cliff.  Families were having picnics on the beach and swimming in the water.  We also toured around America Bay and saw the waterfall there.  By sunset on Saturday, there were 50 boats in the moorings here, still most of the moorings were empty. Ahhh, spring in Australia!

We visited Pittwater Bay, and anchored off Palm Beach and in Morning Bay.  One day Karen yelled: “there’s an animal on the beach!” and we saw a wallaby slowly feeding on something at the top of the beach.  It was in Morning Bay that we met a famous Australian, Rod Waterhouse, the world champion for many years running sailing the Hobie 16.  He even sailed for a Labatt’s commercial, flying off a wave! What a blast!  We ended up in the end of Pittwater Bay on a mooring beside the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, NSW.

A wallaby feeding on the beach in Morning Bay, Pittwater, NSW.

Gnarly trees on the protected shoreline of Morning Bay, in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Every evening there's a sailboat race!

Boats in Pittwater at marinas, private docks, or moorings as far as the eye can see.

Pittwater bay is a very popular boater's paradise.

Beautiful birds are everywhere, here is a cockatoo that is common in this area.

Karen sitting in the cockpit, ready to go to town.

Jacaranda tree flowering while we were here, sending a heavy perfume aroma throughout the community.

Newport Beach, on the ocean side.

Entrance of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, where we can get fuel, pumpouts and do laundry.

We went back to Sydney and went to the Taronga Zoo, and saw some animals we didn't get to see in the wild. amd several we were glad we didn't see.

A cuddky Koala, napping high in a tree

A gigantic Monitor Lizzard

View of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the Taronga Zoo.

A Saltwater Crocodile, an apex preditor

Giraffes snacking on a bag of carrots

Meerkat Village

Shopping in Australia at this time of year is odd, because its spring, so they're selling spring/summer fashions, camping gear, and Christmas decorations and wrapping paper. They sell a lot of solar-powered Christmas decorations, which work well here with the lengthening day.  We were told that Christmas is the beginning of the hot summer, and everyone starts taking their summer vacations and heads for the beaches.

Where do we go from here?  Well by now you must know that "cruisers plans are written in the sand at low tide". Only time will tell!